Updating Supermicro BIOS and IPMI From TrueNAS SCALE

02 Apr 2025 -

Steps to Update the BIOS/IPMI on a SuperMicro board

In the process of building a new TrueNAS SCALE machine (more on this soon), I needed to upgrade the firmware on the “new” motherboard. It’s actually an old Supermicro X11 series board from eBay, but for USD$220 I get a 45W TDP Xeon and 64GB of ECC RAM. Good enough, except for one thing: the BIOS was from 2017. There’s been a lot of fixes in the last eight years. Thankfully, things have changed since I last had to reflash a BIOS. No more floppy disks, for one. It’s actually shockingly easy to update these boards from Linux. In the interest of helping myself remember and maybe some other people, here are the steps to follow.

This assumes an install of TrueNAS SCALE (RIP CORE) with SSH access enabled. SSH no longer enabled by default, so go flip those switches. I’m slowly working my way through a post tracking the differences and considerations when upgrading.

HOWTO Update BIOS

Aquire bits

Step one is acquire the BIOS and IPMI images and the Supermicro Update Manager executable. Find your board on Supermicro’s website, hit the link for Resources, scroll down to Software, and click the link to BMC Firmware. (Example link; your motherboard might be different!) Mine held five compressed files for these things:

  1. Windows/DOS executables
  2. Linux executables
  3. BSD executables
  4. BIOS file
  5. IPMI file

Don’t know what board you have?

Yeah, it’s actually worth double-triple-checking this. Flashing the wrong BIOS will ruin your day. Thankfully it’s not too hard to figure out.

```truenas% sudo dmidecode -t 2

dmidecode 3.4

Getting SMBIOS data from sysfs. SMBIOS 3.0 present.

Handle 0x0002, DMI type 2, 15 bytes Base Board Information Manufacturer: Supermicro Product Name: X11SSH-GF-1585L Version: 1.01 Serial Number: VM175S500358 Asset Tag: To be filled by O.E.M. Features: Board is a hosting board Board is replaceable Location In Chassis: To be filled by O.E.M. Chassis Handle: 0x0003 Type: Motherboard Contained Object Handles: 0


I like seeing `Board is replaceable`. At the end of the day, aren't we all replaceable?

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## Copy to the NAS
Keep the ZIP. Maybe it was automatically decompressed for you, maybe not. Either way, it's simpler to move one file than five. I kept it easy and used `scp` to move the whole ZIP downloaded from Supermicro. Write the file to `/tmp`.

scp ~/Downloads/path/to/the/bundle.zip user@truenashost:’/tmp’


## SSH to host
The rest of these steps will be done via SSH. Connect to the NAS. You may have to enable SSH on TrueNAS if you haven't done so before; while it's probably possible to run this from the GUI-shell it's safer to stick within the terminal.

## Start tmux
Sadly for my muscle memory, `screen` is no longer included in TrueNAS SCALE. You have to switch to `tmux`. Thankfully the basics aren't too hard. Start a session with:

tmux new -s bios


Arguably, this is for the best, since `tmux` sees active development. TrueNAS wants to function like an appliance, even if it is a full Linux system. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should, and iXsystems strongly discourages installing new packages just because you're a dinosaur and don't want to change. Now excuse me while I chase some kids off my lawn.

## Extract
You'll need to unzip and then untar, since the main file is a ZIP. Once unzipped, move into the new directory. Then untar the Linux files (`tar -xvf archive.tar.gz`) and unzip the BIOS file. (`unzip archive.zip`) Why is this a convoluted series of compressed files? Excellent question. The answer lies in what I suspect are a series of cobbled-together scripts that take a bunch of build system outputs and glue them together like a software matryoshka doll. Would it be easier if it was all just one ZIP file? Yes, but bandwidth is cheap now, so we compress the compressed despite it offering no benefits instead of compressing _everything_ with a single compression pass at the end.

Moving along.

## Remount /tmp
Another arguably good win for security is `/tmp` is now mounted with the `noexec` flag set. You can't run the updater from `/tmp` even as root. Thankfully, this is easy enough to temporarily ~fix~ bodge. Simply remount the filesystem: `sudo mount -o remount,exec /tmp`

This _will_ be undone once you restart the system (and everything in `/tmp` will go away too) but that's fine! Now we don't have to remember to undo anything to make it secure again, especially because the system requires a reboot at the end of the flashing process.

By default, tmp is mounted noexec:

#tmpfs on /tmp type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,inode64)

$ sudo ./sum $ sudo: unable to execute ./sum: Permission denied $ sudo mount -o remount,exec /tmp $ sudo ./sum « Help text truncated »


## Update the BIOS
Now we're ready to flash the BIOS. Your system is on stable power, preferably a UPS, and your SSH session is being run through tmux. This should prevent issues from a dropped connection or flickering mains power resulting in a half-flashed BIOS, resulting in much whisky (and recovery tools) being needed.

Simply run `sudo ./sum -c UpdateBios --file /tmp/path/to/BIOS.bin`

The process can take a little while. Don't be surprised if it takes 10 minutes. The percentages should slowly increase.

truenas% sudo ./sum -c UpdateBios –file /tmp/bios-update/BIOS_X11SSHG-0958_20240520_2.0_STD.bin Supermicro Update Manager (for UEFI BIOS) 2.14.0 (2024/02/15) (x86_64) Copyright(C) 2013-2024 Super Micro Computer, Inc. All rights reserved.

WARNING: BIOS setting will be reset without option –preserve_setting Reading BIOS flash ………………… (100%) CPUID = 506e3 Checking ME Firmware … Comparing FDT for ROM file and flash…. (100%) FDT is same, Update BIOS and ME(exclude FDT) regions…. Writing BIOS flash ………………… (100%) Verifying BIOS flash ………………. (100%) Checking ME Firmware … Putting ME data to BIOS ……………. (100%) Writing ME region in BIOS flash …

Nearly done

Just like the tool says, you must power cycle the system for the new BIOS to be used. Take a deep breath, it’s out of your hands now. But resist the easy temptation to reboot, for temptation leads the true follower astray and into the hands of arcane electrical gremlins who desire to frustrate you. No, stay strong my friends, and instead be a hero. Power off the system, count to thirty, and then press the power button. We don’t want residual power to have any chance of causing old, no longer valid, pathways to remain available to execution. This is something I was taught as a young systems whisperer, and so now it is my duty to encourage you.

sudo poweroff

The next boot will feel like it takes longer. Maybe it actually does. Time is a human construct, after all. But a moment after you begin to wonder if it’s time to panic, the system will POST, beep in what your human brain interprets to be cheerful, and will soon be running a new BIOS.

Now, for more updating.

Updating IPMI

IPMI is the man behind the curtain, pulling the strings on your computational destiny. It doesn’t matter what it stands for, but we’re going to update it. My system came with a working IPMI, but no password. Fine; these things aren’t really built for the C or I parts of security– IPMI cares about Availability. The first step for me was to reset the password to a known value, so I could log in and upload the new IPMI firmware.

This is the help text from the IPMICFG tool Supermicro distributes; it is useful to skim outside a terminal emulator.


truenas% ./IPMICFG-Linux.x86_64
IPMICFG Version 1.35.2 (Build 240627)
Copyright(c) 2023 Super Micro Computer, Inc.
Usage: IPMICFG params (Example: IPMICFG -m 192.168.1.123)
 -help                      Display a list of commands
truenas% ./IPMICFG-Linux.x86_64 -help
IPMICFG Version 1.35.2 (Build 240627)
Copyright(c) 2023 Super Micro Computer, Inc.
Usage: IPMICFG params (Example: IPMICFG -m 192.168.1.123)
 -help                      Display a list of commands
 -m                         Shows IPv4 address and MAC.
 -m <ip>                    Sets IPv4 address (format: ###.###.###.###).
 -a <mac>                   Sets MAC (format: ##:##:##:##:##:##).
 -k                         Shows Subnet Mask.
 -k <mask>                  Sets Subnet Mask (format: ###.###.###.###).
 -dhcp                      Gets the DHCP status.
 -dhcp on                   Enables the DHCP.
 -dhcp off                  Disables the DHCP.
 -g                         Shows a Gateway IP.
 -g <gateway>               Sets a Gateway IP (format: ###.###.###.###).
 -garp on                   Enables the Gratuitous ARP.
 -garp off                  Disables the Gratuitous ARP.
 -r                         Performs a BMC cold reset.
                            Detects if a BMC reset was successfully performed
                             on the IPMI device, use -d after -r.
 -fd <option>               Resets to the factory defaults without preserving
                             configurations.
                            option:  1 | Preserves User configurations
                            option:  2 | Restores to factory default and
                             default password
                            option:  3 | Sets user defaults to ADMIN/ADMIN
 -fdl                       Resets IPMI to the factory default. (Clean LAN).
 -fde                       Resets IPMI to the factory default. (Clean FRU &
                             LAN).
 -d                         Detects if a BMC reset was successfully performed
                             on the IPMI device.
                            Note that this option can be only used after -r,
                             -fd, -fdl or -fde
 -ver                       Gets firmware revision.
 -vlan                      Gets VLAN status.
 -vlan on [VLAN tag]        Enables the VLAN and sets the VLAN tag.
                            If VLAN tag is not given, it uses the previously
                             saved value.
 -vlan off                  Disables the VLAN.
 -selftest                  Checks and reports the basic health status of the
                             BMC.
 -raw                       Sends a RAW IPMI request and prints a response.
                            Format: NetFn/LUN Cmd [Data1 ... DataN]
 -fru info                  Shows information of the FRU inventory area.
 -fru list                  Shows all FRU values.
 -fru cthelp                Shows chassis type code.
 -fru help                  Shows help of FRU Write.
 -fru <field>               Shows FRU field value.
 -fru <field> <value>       Writes FRU.
 -fru backup <file>         Backs up FRU to a file <Binary format>.
 -fru restore <file>        Restores FRU from a file <Binary format>.
 -fru tbackup <file>        Backs up FRU to a file <Text format>.
 -fru trestore <file>       Restores FRU from a file <Text format>.
 -fru ver <v1> <v2>         Gets/Sets the FRU version. (<v1> and <v2> are
                             BCD-format)
 -fru dmi <$1> ... <$14>    Inputs 14 parameters and writes to FRU
                             Chassis/Board/Product fields.
                            Please use the "-fru dmi" command to view the
                             parameters.
 -sel info                  Shows SEL information.
 -sel list [option]         Shows SEL records.
                              -y <n years>  | Filter event logs within n years
                              -m <n months> | Filter event logs within n months
                              -d <n days>   | Filter event logs within n days
 -sel del                   Deletes all SEL records.
 -sel raw                   Shows SEL raw data.
 -sdr [full]                Shows SDR records and readings.
 -sdr del <sdr id>          Deletes the SDR record.
 -sdr ver <v1> <v2>         Gets/Sets the SDR version. (<v1> and <v2> are
                             BCD-format)
 -nm nmsdr                  Displays NM SDR.
 -nm seltime                Gets SEL time.
 -nm deviceid               Gets the ID of the ME device.
 -nm reset                  Reboots ME.
 -nm reset2default          Forces ME to reset to default settings.
 -nm updatemode             Forces ME to enter the update mode.
 -nm selftest               Gets self-test results.
 -nm listimagesinfo         Lists ME information of images.
 -nm oemgetpower            OEM Power command for ME.
 -nm oemgettemp             OEM Temp. command for ME.
 -nm pstate                 Gets the maximum allowed CPU P-State.
 -nm tstate                 Gets the maximum allowed CPU T-State.
 -nm cpumemtemp             Gets CPU/memory temperature.
 -nm hostcpudata            Gets the host CPU data.
 -fan                       Gets the fan mode.
 -fan <mode>                Sets the fan mode.
 -pminfo [full]             Displays PMBus health information of power supply.
 -psfruinfo                 Displays FRU health information of power supply.
 -psbbpinfo                 Displays status of the backup battery.
 -autodischarge <module>    Sets auto discharge by days.
  <day>
 -discharge <module>        Manually discharges a battery.
 -user list                 Lists user privileges.
 -user help                 Shows a user privilege code.
 -user add <user id> <name> Adds a user.
  <password> <privilege>
 -user del <user id>        Deletes users.
 -user level <user id>      Updates user privileges.
  <privilege>
 -user setpwd <user id>     Updates a user password.
  <password>
 -conf download <file>      Downloads IPMI configuration to a binary file.
 -conf upload <file>        Uploads IPMI configuration from a binary file.
  <option>                  option: -p | Bypass warning message
 -conf tdownload <file>     Downloads IPMI configuration to a text file.
 -conf tupload <file>       Uploads IPMI configuration from a text file.
  <option>                  option: -p | Bypass warning message
 -clrint                    Clears chassis intrusion.
 -reset <index>             Resets system and forces to boot from the selected
                             device.
 -soft <index>              Initiates a soft-shutdown for OS and forces system
                             to boot from the selected device.
 -ipv6 mode                 Shows the IPv6 mode.
 -ipv6 mode <mode>          Sets the IPv6 mode.
 -ipv6 autoconfig           Shows IPv6 auto configuration.
 -ipv6 autoconfig on        Enables IPv6 auto configuration.
 -ipv6 autoconfig off       Disables IPv6 auto configuration.
 -ipv6 list                 Lists IPv6 static and dynamic addresses.
 -ipv6 duid                 Shows IPv6 DUID.
 -ipv6 dns [ip]             Gets/Sets IPv6 DNS server.
 -ipv6 add <id> <ip>        Adds IPv6 static address.
  <prefix>
 -ipv6 remove <id>          Removes IPv6 static address.
 -ipv6 route                Displays IPv6 static route status.
 -ipv6 route on             Enables IPv6 static route.
 -ipv6 route off            Disables IPv6 static route.
 -ipv6 route list           Lists IPv6 static router information.
 -ipv6 route <id> <prefix   Sets IPv6 static router information.
  value> <prefix length>
  <ip>
 -ipv6 route clear <id>     Clears IPv6 static router information.
 -nvme list                 Displays the existing NVME SSD list.
 -nvme info                 Displays NVME SSD information.
 -nvme rescan               Rescans all devices by in-band.
 -nvme insert <aoc> <group> Inserts SSD by out-of-band.
  <slot>
 -nvme locate <HDD name>    Locates SSD. (in-band)
 -nvme locate <aoc> <group> Locates SSD. (out-of-band)
  <slot>
 -nvme stoplocate <HDD      Stops locateing SSD. (in-band)
  name>
 -nvme stoplocate <aoc>     Stops locateing SSD. (out-of-band)
  <group> <slot>
 -nvme remove <HDD name>    Removes NVME device. (in-band)
  [option1] [option2]       option1: 0 | Do eject after remove (Default)
                            option1: 1 | Do not eject after remove
                            option2:-p | Bypass warning message
 -nvme remove <aoc> <group> Removes NVME device. (out-of-band)
  <slot> [option]           option: -p | Bypass warning message
 -nvme smartdata [HDD name] NVME S.M.A.R.T data.
 -tas info                  Gets TAS information.
 -tas pause                 Pauses a TAS service.
 -tas resume                Resumes a TAS service.
 -tas refresh               Triggers TAS to recollect data.
 -tas clear                 Clears collected TAS data in BMC.
 -tas period <sec>          Sets the time length of a TAS update <limit 1 to 60
                             sec>.
 -tp info                   Gets MCU information.
 -tp info <type>            Gets information of MCU type. (type: 1 - 3)
 -tp nodeid                 Gets a node ID.
 -tp systemname [value]     Gets/Sets a system name.
 -tp systempn [value]       Gets/Sets a system P/N.
 -tp systemsn [value]       Gets/Sets a system S/N.
 -tp chassispn [value]      Gets/Sets a chassis P/N.
 -tp chassissn [value]      Gets/Sets a chassis S/N.
 -tp backplanepn [value]    Gets/Sets a backplane P/N.
 -tp backplanesn [value]    Gets/Sets a backplane S/N.
 -tp nodepn [value]         Gets/Sets node P/N.
 -tp nodesn [value]         Gets/Sets node S/N.
 -summary                   Displays FW and BIOS information.
 -hostname [value]          Gets/Sets a host name.
 -dcmi cap                  Lists information of DCMI capabilities.
 -dcmi power                Gets the DCMI power readings.
 -dcmi ctl [value]          Gets/Sets the DCMI management controller ID string.
 -mel list [option]         Shows BMC maintenance event log.
                              -y <n years>  | Filter event logs within n years
                              -m <n months> | Filter event logs within n months
                              -d <n days>   | Filter event logs within n days
 -mel download <file>       Downloads a BMC maintenance event log to a file.
 -mel clear [0|1]           Clears a BMC maintenance event log. (without/with
                             log, default is 0)
 -addrptl [option]          Gets/Sets IP address protocol.
                            option:  1 | IPv4
                            option:  2 | IPv6
                            option:  3 | Dual
 -lockdown                  Checks the system's lockdown mode.
 -lani [option]             Gets/Sets LAN interface.
 -linkstatus                Shows network link status.

Setup

First things first. If you just followed my instructions above, you’ll need to recopy the BIOS/IPMI file over to /tmp and remount it without the noexec flag. Easy stuff.

Users

List the users currently active in the IPMI system with:

truenas% sudo ./IPMICFG-Linux.x86_64 -user list
Maximum number of Users          : 10
Count of currently enabled Users : 1
User ID | User Name        | Privilege Level | Enable
------- | ---------        | --------------- | ------
      2 | ADMIN            | Administrator   | Yes

User ID 0 and 1 are either reserved or unavailable, so this one will go to 11 if you max out the user list.

Set Password

Really simple, but a minimum password length is enforced. The command syntax is -user setpwd <user_number> <password>. If you’re paranoid, then know this will be recorded in your shell history. My suggestion would be to set it to something dumb-but-easy and then reset it once you have regained access to the GUI. Also, as I discovered, there is both a minimum and maximum password length.

truenas% sudo ./IPMICFG-Linux.x86_64 -user setpwd 2 ADMIN
Password must be 8 ~ 20 characters.
truenas% sudo ./IPMICFG-Linux.x86_64 -user setpwd 2 ADMINPASS
Done.
truenas%

Upgrade

Once you’ve reset the password, use a web browser to log in to IPMI. Head to the maintenance section and upload the new IPMI file. This will also take awhile to run, but does not incur system downtime.

References

https://major.io/p/update-supermicro-bios-firmware-from-linux/#update-the-bmc

Wrapup

So there. Hopefully this helps someone else with this task, which is ultimately pretty easy but also not well-documented.

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